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Iraqi president to meet Khamenei Iran demands US pull out of Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is due to meet Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on the second day of a key visit for Iraq's future. US troops must leave Iraq if security is to be restored, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said during talks with the Iraqi president.
Mr Talabani is hoping to secure Iranian help to improve the security situation in Iraq, which is on the verge of civil war according to UN chief Kofi Annan. The instability of Iraq was detrimental to all countries in the region and the US had no hope of improving the situation, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
President Jalal Talabani is in Tehran to try to secure Iran's help in curbing the escalating violence in Iraq.
The US is also interested in involving Iran, but it is unclear at what price.
On his way to a Nato summit in Latvia, President Bush said in order for the US to open a dialogue with Iran, the Iranians would have to "verifiably suspend" its nuclear fuel enrichment programme, which could be used in weapons production.
But although Washington may find it awkward seeing Iran as a growing powerbroker in Iraq, correspondents say, direct talks between Iran and Iraq to resolve the crisis may to some extent let the Bush administration off the hook.
'Civil war'
On Monday, Mr Talabani held talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said Iran was ready to do whatever it could.On Monday, Mr Talabani held talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said Iran was ready to do whatever it could.
The US has repeatedly accused Iran of impeding efforts to stabilise Iraq. We are in dire need of Iran's help in establishing security and stability in Iraq Jalal Talabani href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iran_power/html/default.stm" class="">Iran: Who holds power? Mr Ahmadinejad also stressed that a secure, progressive and powerful Iraq was in the interests of Iran and the whole region.
We are in dire need of Iran's help in establishing security and stability in Iraq Jalal Talabani Iran: Who holds power? But Mr Ahmadinejad said a secure, progressive and powerful Iraq was in the interests of Iran and the whole region.
Mr Talabani, a Farsi speaker, is the first Iraqi head of state to visit Tehran in almost four decades.Mr Talabani, a Farsi speaker, is the first Iraqi head of state to visit Tehran in almost four decades.
"The issue of establishing security in Iraq is the most important part of our talks. We are in dire need of Iran's help in establishing security and stability in Iraq," Mr Talabani was quoted as saying on Iran's state-run TV."The issue of establishing security in Iraq is the most important part of our talks. We are in dire need of Iran's help in establishing security and stability in Iraq," Mr Talabani was quoted as saying on Iran's state-run TV.
Uncontrollable The past week has been one of the bloodiest in Iraq since the American-led invasion in 2003.
The past week has been one of the bloodiest since the American-led invasion in 2003.
On Monday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told reporters in New York that drastic action was needed to prevent a civil war.On Monday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told reporters in New York that drastic action was needed to prevent a civil war.
However, US President George W Bush played down such talk, saying the latest bombings were part of a pattern of attacks sparked by al-Qaeda militants seeking a sectarian break-down.
Speaking at a news conference in Estonia, Mr Bush said in order for the US to open a dialogue with Iran, the Iranians would have to "verifiably suspend" its nuclear fuel enrichment programme, which could be used in weapons production.
The BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says Iran seems increasingly concerned about the uncontrollable level of violence in Iraq.
Last week's multiple car bomb attacks in Baghdad's Sadr City - in which more than 200 people were killed - were the deadliest in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003.
The UN says violent deaths among civilians hit a record high in October, with more than 3,700 people losing their lives - the majority in sectarian attacks.